BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to radiofrequency amplifiers that use phase-shifted
full bridge resonant inverters. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to
an electrosurgical system using a resonant inverter that achieves different tissue
modalities with a single tank.
2. Background of the Related Art
[0002] Energy-based tissue treatment is well known in the art. Various types of energy (e.g.,
electrical, ultrasonic, microwave, cryogenic, thermal, laser, etc.) are applied to
tissue to achieve a desired result. Electrosurgery involves application of high radio
frequency electrical current to a surgical site to cut, ablate, coagulate or seal
tissue. A source or active electrode delivers radio frequency energy from the electrosurgical
generator to the tissue and a return electrode carries the current back to the generator.
In monopolar electrosurgery, the source electrode is typically part of the surgical
instrument held by the surgeon and applied to the tissue to be treated and the return
electrode is placed remotely from the active electrode to carry the current back to
the generator. In bipolar electrosurgery, one of the electrodes of the hand-held instrument
functions as the active electrode and the other as the return electrode.
[0003] Electrosurgical generators may use a phase-shifted full bridge resonant inverter
to generate the electrosurgical energy needed to perform the electrosurgical procedure.
One example of a resonant inverter uses a LCLC tank topology driven by an H-bridge
having two pairs of field effect transistors (FETs). Depending on the design of the
LCLC tank, the resonant inverter is only capable of operating in one tissue modality.
e.g., vessel sealing or cutting.
[0004] US6093186 discloses an electrosurgical generator with an H-bridge resonant inverter and an
LC tank converter for desiccation and vaporization.
SUMMARY
[0005] This description may use the phrases "in an embodiment," "in embodiments," "in some
embodiments," or "in other embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the
same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. For the purposes
of this description, a phrase in the form "A/B" means A or B. For the purposes of
the description, a phrase in the form "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)".
For the purposes of this description, a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B,
or C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)".
[0006] As used herein, the term "generator" may refer to a device capable of providing energy.
Such device may include a power source and an electrical circuit capable of modifying
the energy outputted by the power source to output energy having a desired intensity,
frequency, and/or waveform.
[0007] The systems described herein may also utilize one or more controllers to receive
various information and transform the received information to generate an output.
The controller may include any type of computing device, computational circuit, or
any type of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a series of instructions
that are stored in a memory. The controller may include multiple processors and/or
multicore central processing units (CPUs) and may include any type of processor, such
as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or the like. The controller
may also include a memory to store data and/or algorithms to perform a series of instructions.
[0008] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted
to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. A "Programming Language"
and "Computer Program" is any language used to specify instructions to a computer,
and includes (but is not limited to) these languages and their derivatives: Assembler,
Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, Machine code,
operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, scripting languages, Visual
Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third,
fourth, and fifth generation computer languages. Also included are database and other
data schemas, and any other meta-languages. For the purposes of this definition, no
distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both
compiled and interpreted approaches. For the purposes of this definition, no distinction
is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program,
where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source,
compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. The definition
also encompasses the actual instructions and the intent of those instructions.
[0009] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be contained
on one or more machine-readable media or memory. The term "memory" may include a mechanism
that provides (e.g., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a
machine such a processor, computer, or a digital processing device. For example, a
memory may include a read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic
disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, or any other volatile
or non-volatile memory storage device. Code or instructions contained thereon can
be represented by carrier wave signals, infrared signals, digital signals, and by
other like signals.
[0010] The invention is defined in appended independent claim 1, preferred embodiments are
described in the dependent claims.
[0011] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical generator is provided.
The electrosurgical generator includes a resonant inverter including an H-bridge and
a tank and a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller that outputs PWM timing signals
to the H-bridge. A switch selects a modality from among a plurality of modalities
and the PWM controller adjusts a frequency of the PWM timing signals based on the
selected modality.
[0012] The plurality of modalities includes at least a first modality and a second modality.
If the first modality is selected, the PWM timing signals have a first switching frequency
and if the second modality is selected, the PWM timing signals have a second switching
frequency. The first switching frequency is different from the second switching frequency.
The quality factor of the tank is greater than 1.
[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an electrosurgical generator is provided.
The electrosurgical generator has a resonant inverter including an H-bridge and a
tank and a PWM controller configured to output PWM timing signals to the H-bridge.
The electrosurgical generator also has a sensor circuit configured to measure at least
one tissue property, wherein the PWM controller selects a modality based on the measured
tissue property.
[0014] The sensor circuit measures an output voltage and an output current and the PWM controller
determines a tissue impedance based on the output voltage and the output current.
The PWM controller compares the tissue impedance with a threshold impedance. If the
tissue impedance is less than the threshold impedance, the PWM controller selects
a first modality, and if the tissue impedance is greater than the threshold impedance,
the PWM controller selects a second modality. The quality factor of the tank is greater
than 1.
[0015] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for controlling an electrosurgical
generator including a resonant inverter having an H-bridge and a tank, a PWM controller,
and a sensor circuit is provided. The method includes selecting a modality, setting
a first switching frequency of the H-bridge based on the selected modality, and driving
the H-bridge at the first switching frequency. A tissue impedance is determined based
on at least one measurement provided by the sensor circuit and the tissue impedance
is compared to a threshold impedance. The PWM controller drives the H-bridge at the
first switching frequency if the tissue impedance is less than the threshold impedance
and drives the H-bridge at a second frequency if the tissue impedance is greater than
or equal to the threshold impedance. The frequency may also be selected for a certain
modality and remain constant regardless of tissue impedance changes.
[0016] Selecting the modality may include outputting a test signal, calculating an initial
tissue impedance, and selecting the modality based on the calculated tissue impedance.
[0017] In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the electrosurgical generator may operate
in multiple modalities.
[0018] In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the tank may be configured to output
electrosurgical energy, wherein the tank comprises components selected to provide
resonant output amplitudes.
[0019] The tank may comprise an LCLC tank.
[0020] In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the tank may be configured to output
electrosurgical energy, wherein the output impedance of the tank is configured to
increase exponentially from the minimum output impedance corresponding to a switching
frequency f
0 to an output impedance corresponding to the first switching frequency, The output
impedance of the tank may be configured to increase exponentially from an output impedance
corresponding to the first switching frequency to an output impedance corresponding
to the second switching frequency.
[0021] In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the tank may be configured to output
electrosurgical energy, wherein the tank is designed such that the gain of the output
impedance of the electrosurgical generator is close to resonance.
[0022] In any of the above aspects or embodiments, the tank may be configured to output
electrosurgical energy, wherein the threshold impedance is related to the impedance
of tissue after a vessel sealing procedure has been performed on the tissue. The threshold
impedance may indicate completion of the vessel sealing procedure. Different electrosurgical
modalities of the electrosurgical generator may include vessel-sealing and electronic
cutting.
[0023] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrosurgical
generator comprising: a resonant inverter including an H-bridge and a tank; a pulse
width modulation (PWM) controller configured to output PWM timing signals to the H-bridge;
and a sensor circuit configured to measure at least one tissue property, wherein the
PWM controller selects a modality based on the measured tissue property, wherein the
PWM controller adjusts a frequency of the PWM timing signals based on the selected
modality.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will
become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrosurgical generator in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a graph depicting the relationship between the output impedance and frequency
of the electrosurgical generator of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 3 is a flowchart depicting an algorithm executed by the electrosurgical generator
of Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference
to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments
are merely examples of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known
functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for
the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously
employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like
reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description
of the figures.
[0026] The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical generator that employs a
phase-shifted full bridge resonant inverter having an LCLC tank topology and an H-bridge.
The generator adjusts the switching frequency of the H-bridge to achieve a different
output impedance using a single LCLC tank. Allowing different impedances to be output
from the electrosurgical generator allows the generator to operate in multiple modalities
thereby reducing the cost of the generator.
[0027] Turning to Fig. 1, one example of an electrosurgical generator in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as 100. The generator 100
includes suitable input controls (e.g., buttons, activators, switches, touch screen,
etc.) for controlling the generator 100. In addition, the generator 100 may include
one or more display screens (not shown) for providing the user with variety of output
information (e.g., intensity settings, treatment complete indicators, etc.). The controls
allow the user to adjust power of the RF energy, waveform, as well as the level of
maximum arc energy allowed which varies depending on desired tissue effects and other
parameters to achieve the desired waveform suitable for a particular task (e.g., coagulating,
tissue sealing, intensity setting, etc.). An instrument (not shown) that may be connected
to the generator 100 may also include a plurality of input controls that may be redundant
with certain input controls of the generator 100. Placing the input controls at the
instrument allows for easier and faster modification of RF energy parameters during
the surgical procedure without requiring interaction with the generator 100.
[0028] The generator 100 may include a plurality of connectors to accommodate various types
of electrosurgical instruments. Further, the generator 100 may operate in monopolar
or bipolar modes by including a switching mechanism (e.g., relays) to switch the supply
of RF energy between the connectors.
[0029] The generator 100 includes a resonant inverter circuit 102, a pulse width modulation
(PWM) controller 110, and a sensor circuit 120. The resonant inverter circuit 102
includes an H-bridge 104 having FETs Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 and an LCLC tank 106. The
PWM controller 110 includes a processor 112 and a memory 114.
[0030] In the resonant inverter circuit 102, the H-bridge 104 is supplied with a positive
high voltage direct current (+HVDC). The series-parallel, or LCLC, converters of LCLC
tank 106 are driven in a full-bridge configuration by the active FET switches Q1,
Q2, Q3 and Q4. The PWM controller 110 supplies phase-shifted PWM timing signals to
FET switches Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 as shown in Fig. 2. FETs Q1 and Q2 provide a voltage
V
S1 to the LCLC tank 106 and FETs Q3 and Q4 provide a voltage V
S2 to the LCLC tank 106.
[0031] Components L
S, C
S, L
M and Cp are selected to provide resonant output amplitudes that are proportional to
the phase-shifted PWM duty cycles times the power supply rail +HVDC and ground. The
selection of L
S, C
S, L
M and Cp will be described in more detail below. The LCLC tank 106 outputs electrosurgical
energy to an instrument (not shown) via active terminal 130. In particular, the active
terminal 130 provides either continuous or pulsed sinusoidal waveforms of high RF
energy. The active terminal 130 is configured to provide a plurality of waveforms
having various duty cycles, peak voltages, crest factors, and other suitable parameters.
Certain types of waveforms are suitable for specific electrosurgical modes. For instance,
the active terminal 130 may provide a 100% duty cycle sinusoidal waveform in cut mode,
which is best suited for ablating, fusing and dissecting tissue and a 1-25% duty cycle
waveform in coagulation mode, which is best used for cauterizing tissue to stop bleeding.
[0032] A return terminal 132 is coupled to a return pad (not shown) for monopolar procedures.
Alternatively, the return terminal 132 is electrically coupled to a return electrode
(not shown) on an instrument.
[0033] The generator 100 may implement a closed and/or open loop control schemes which include
the sensor circuit 120 having a plurality of sensors measuring a variety of tissue
and energy properties (e.g., tissue impedance, tissue temperature, output current
and/or voltage, etc.) and providing feedback to the PWM controller 110. A current
sensor 122 can be disposed at either the active or return current path or both and
provide an output current (I
O). A voltage sensor 124 can sense voltage at the terminals 130 and 132 and provide
an output voltage (V
O). The output current (I
O) and the output voltage (V
O) are provided to the sensor circuit 120. Sensor circuit 120 may provide the output
current and/or the output voltage to the PWM controller 110. The PWM controller 110
then transmits appropriate signals to FETs Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. The PWM controller
110 also receives input signals from the input controls of the generator 100 or the
instrument. The PWM controller 110 utilizes the input signals to adjust power output
by the generator 100 and/or performs other control functions thereon.
[0034] The sensor circuit 120 measures the input voltage (V
I) supplied to the LCLC tank 106, the output voltage (V
O) and output current (I
O) supplied by the active terminal 130 and the return terminal 132 in real time to
characterize the electrosurgical process during a procedure. This allows for the measured
electrical properties of the generator 100 and/or tissue being subjected to an electrosurgical
process to be used as dynamic input control variables to achieve feedback control.
The current and voltage values may also be used to derive other electrical parameters,
such as power (P=V
∗I) and impedance (Z=V/I). The sensor circuit 120 may also measure properties of the
current and voltage waveforms and determines the shape thereof.
[0035] The input voltage (V
I), the output voltage (V
O), and/or the output current (I
O) are provided to PWM controller 110 to implement a closed loop feedback scheme. As
will be described in more detail below with respect to Fig. 3, the processor 112 of
the PWM controller 110 may implement an algorithm stored in the memory 114 to adjust
the frequency of the PWM timing signals provided to FETs Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4.
[0036] Generator 100 also includes a switch 134 that allows a user to select one of a plurality
of electrosurgical modalities for use during an electrosurgical procedure. The electrosurgical
modalities may include, e.g., vessel sealing and e-cutting. The switch 134 may be
any conventional switch having multiple poles that allows a user to select one of
the electrosurgical modalities. Alternatively, in other embodiments, switch 134 may
be a touch screen panel to allow a user to select one of the electrosurgical modalities.
The operation of switch 134 is described below with reference to Figure 2.
[0037] Fig. 2 illustrates a plot of the output impedance (Z
out) vs. frequency (f). As shown in the plot of Fig. 2, at frequency f
0, the output impedance of the LCLC tank 106 is at its lowest (Z
min). At frequency f
1, the output impedance Z
1 is increased exponentially with respect to the output impedance Z
min at f
0. Frequency f
1 is kept above f
0 so that the H-bridge 104 is kept in zero-voltage switching. At frequency f
2, the output impedance Z
2 increases exponentially again with respect to the output impedance at f
1. In order to obtain relatively large changes in output impedance with small changes
in frequency, the LCLC tank 106 is designed so that the gain of the impedance is close
to resonance.
[0038] In the embodiments described herein, and in conjunction with Fig. 1, the LCLC tank
106 is designed to have a relatively large "Q" factor. The "Q" factor or quality factor
of a resonant circuit is a measure of the quality of the circuit. The higher the "Q"
factor, the narrower the bandwidth of the LCLC tank 106. Thus, in order to obtain
relatively large changes in output impedance with small changes in frequency, the
LCLC tank 106 is designed to have a high "Q" factor.
[0039] The "Q" factor of a series LC (inductor-capacitor) circuit is:

and the "Q" factor of a parallel LC circuit is:

where R is the total resistance provided by the inductor(s) and the capacitor(s),
L is the total inductance, and C is the total capacitance of the LC circuit. The components
L
S, Cs, L
M and Cp of the LCLC tank 106 are selected so that the LCLC tank 106 has a high "Q"
factor centered about the frequency f
0. For example, the "Q" factor may greater than 1.
[0040] In operation, when a user wants to perform a vessel sealing procedure, the user operates
switch 134 to select the vessel sealing modality. Upon selecting the vessel sealing
modality, the PWM controller 110 transmits appropriate signals to FETs Q1, Q2, Q3,
and Q4 to operate at frequency f
1 so that the output impedance is Z
1. If the user wants to perform an e-cutting procedure, the user operates switch 134
to select frequency f
2 so that the output impedance is Z
2.
[0041] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the generator 100 may automatically
select a vessel sealing modality or an e-cutting modality. Memory 114 may store an
algorithm, that when executed by processor 112, controls PWM controller 110 to switch
between modalities. Switch 134 may be used to select the manual mode as described
above or the automatic mode as will be described with reference to Fig. 3.
[0042] Turning to Fig. 3, which will be described in conjunction with Fig. 1, generator
100 selects a modality in step s302. The algorithm may initially set generator 100
in a vessel sealing modality or a user may select the vessel sealing modality. Upon
selecting the modality in step s302, the processor 112 sets the switching frequency
to f
1 in step s304 and the PWM controller 110 outputs the appropriate PWM timing signals
to FETs Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 to drive H-bridge 104 at switching frequency f
1 (s306).
[0043] When tissue is heated, the impedance of the tissue is increased. Thus, the tissue
impedance can be used to determine when a vessel sealing procedure is completed. Accordingly,
in step s308, the tissue impedance (Z
t) is calculated. For example, current sensor 122 and voltage sensor 124 measure the
output current (I
O) and output voltage (V
O) and provide the measurements to sensor circuit 120. Sensor circuit 120 may process
the measurements provided by current sensor 122 and voltage sensor 124 and provide
the measurements to PWM controller 110. Processor 112 of PWM controller 110 calculates
a tissue impedance (Z
t) based on the voltage and current measurements. In step s310, processor 112 compares
the tissue impedance (Z
t) to a threshold impedance (Z
Th). If tissue impedance (Z
t) is less than threshold impedance (Z
Th), the algorithm returns to step s308 to determine the tissue impedance (Z
t).
[0044] If tissue impedance (Z
t) is greater than or equal to the threshold impedance (Z
Th), the algorithm proceeds to step s312 where the processor 112 selects the e-cutting
modality. Upon selecting the e-cutting modality in step s312, the processor 112 sets
the switching frequency to f
2 in step s314 and the PWM controller 110 outputs the appropriate PWM timing signals
to FETs Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 to drive H-bridge 104 at switching frequency f
2 (s316).
[0045] In other embodiments, the initial modality selected in step s302 may be selected
based on a measure tissue impedance. When the modality is based on a measured tissue
impedance, the PWM controller 110 outputs a test signal to control FETs Q1, Q2, Q3,
and Q4 for a predetermined amount of time. Sensor circuit 120 then receives output
current (I
O) and output voltage (V
O) and calculates the tissue impedance. Based on the calculated tissue impedance, the
PWM controller 110 selects the appropriate tissue modality.
[0046] Although the above-described embodiments highlight vessel sealing and e-cutting modalities,
other modalities that may be used in electrosurgery can also be incorporated into
the above-described embodiments.
[0047] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the
present disclosure. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing
figs. are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other
elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those
described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope
of the disclosure.
1. Elektrochirurgischer Generator (100), umfassend:
einen Resonanzumrichter (102) mit einer H-Brücke (104) und einem Tank (106), wobei
der Tank einen Qualitätsfaktor größer als 1 aufweist;
eine Impulsbreitenmodulationssteuerung (PWM-Steuerung) (110), die konfiguriert ist,
um PWM-Zeitsteuerungssignale an die H-Brücke auszugeben; und
einen Schalter (134), der konfiguriert ist, um eine Modalität aus mehreren Modalitäten
auszuwählen,
wobei die PWM-Steuerung eine Frequenz der PWM-Zeitsteuerungssignale basierend auf
der ausgewählten Modalität einstellt,
wobei die mehreren Modalitäten mindestens eine erste Modalität und eine zweite Modalität
umfassen, wobei die PWM-Zeitsteuerungssignale eine erste Schaltfrequenz (f1) aufweisen, wenn die erste Modalität ausgewählt ist, und eine zweite Schaltfrequenz
(f2) aufweisen, wenn die zweite Modalität ausgewählt ist, wobei sich die erste Schaltfrequenz
von der zweiten Schaltfrequenz unterscheidet,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
bei einer Schaltfrequenz f0 die Ausgangsimpedanz des Tanks (106) am niedrigsten (Zmili) ist, bei der ersten Schaltfrequenz (f1) die Ausgangsimpedanz (Z1) des Tanks in Bezug auf die niedrigste Ausgangsimpedanz (Zmin) bei der Schaltfrequenz fo exponentiell erhöht ist, wobei die erste Schaltfrequenz
(f1) höher als die Schaltfrequenz f0 ist, so dass die H-Brücke (104) auf Nullspannungsschaltung gehalten wird, und wobei
bei der zweiten Schaltfrequenz (f2) die Ausgangsimpedanz (Z2) des Tanks in Bezug auf die Ausgangsimpedanz bei der ersten Schaltfrequenz (f1) exponentiell erhöht ist, wobei die zweite Schaltfrequenz (f2) höher als die erste Schaltfrequenz (f1) ist.
2. Elektrochirurgischer Generator nach Anspruch 1, wobei die PWM-Steuerung konfiguriert
ist zum:
Auswählen einer Modalität;
Einstellen einer ersten Schaltfrequenz (f1) der H-Brücke basierend auf der ausgewählten Modalität;
Ansteuern der H-Brücke bei der ersten Schaltfrequenz;
Bestimmen einer Gewebeimpedanz (Zt) basierend auf mindestens einer Messung, die von der Sensorschaltung bereitgestellt
wird;
Vergleichen der Gewebeimpedanz mit einer Schwellenwertimpedanz (ZTh);
Steuern der PWM-Steuerung, um die H-Brücke bei der ersten Schaltfrequenz anzusteuern,
wenn die Gewebeimpedanz kleiner als die Schwellenwertimpedanz ist; und
Steuern der PWM-Steuerung, um die H-Brücke bei einer zweiten Schaltfrequenz (f2) anzusteuern, wenn die Gewebeimpedanz größer als die Schwellenwertimpedanz oder gleich
dieser ist.
3. Elektrochirurgischer Generator nach Anspruch 1, umfassend:
eine Sensorschaltung (120), die konfiguriert ist, um mindestens eine Gewebeeigenschaft
zu messen,
wobei die PMW-Steuerung eine Modalität basierend auf der gemessenen Gewebeeigenschaft
auswählt.
4. Elektrochirurgischer Generator nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Sensorschaltung eine Ausgangsspannung
(V0) und einen Ausgangsstrom (I0) misst und die PWM-Steuerung eine Gewebeimpedanz (Zr) basierend auf der Ausgangsspannung und dem Ausgangsstrom bestimmt.
5. Elektrochirurgischer Generator nach Anspruch 4, wobei die PMW-Steuerung die Gewebeimpedanz
mit einer Schwellenwertimpedanz (ZTh) vergleicht, wobei,
wenn die Gewebeimpedanz kleiner als die Schwellenwertimpedanz ist, die PWM-Steuerung
eine erste Modalität auswählt, und
wenn die Gewebeimpedanz größer als die Schwellenwertimpedanz ist, die PWM-Steuerung
eine zweite Modalität auswählt.
6. Elektrochirurgischer Generator nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei die Frequenz
für die ausgewählte Modalität unabhängig von Änderungen der Gewebeimpedanz konstant
bleibt.
1. Générateur électrochirurgical (100) comprenant :
un ondulateur résonant (102) comprenant un pont en H (104) et un réservoir (106) dans
lequel le réservoir a un facteur de qualité supérieur à 1 ;
un dispositif de commande de modulation de largeur d'impulsion (MLI) (110) configuré
pour émettre des signaux de synchronisation MLI vers le pont en H ; et
un commutateur (134) configuré pour choisir une modalité parmi une pluralité de modalités,
le dispositif de commande MLI ajustant une fréquence des signaux de synchronisation
MLI en fonction de la modalité choisie,
la pluralité de modalités comportant au moins une première modalité et une seconde
modalité, les signaux de synchronisation MLI ayant une première fréquence de commutation
(f1) lorsque la première modalité est choisie et une seconde fréquence de commutation
(f2) lorsque la seconde modalité est choisie, la première fréquence de commutation étant
différente de la seconde fréquence de commutation,
caractérisé en ce que
à une fréquence de commutation f0, l'impédance de sortie du réservoir (106) est à son plus bas (Zmili), à la première fréquence de commutation (f1), l'impédance de sortie (Z1) du réservoir est augmentée de façon exponentielle par rapport à l'impédance de sortie
la plus faible (Zmin) à la fréquence de commutation f0, moyennant quoi la première fréquence de commutation (f1) est supérieure à la fréquence de commutation f0 de sorte que le pont en H (104) est maintenu en commutation à tension nulle, et à
la seconde fréquence de commutation (f2), l'impédance de sortie (Z2) du réservoir augmentant de façon exponentielle par rapport à l'impédance de sortie
à la première fréquence de commutation (f1), moyennant quoi la seconde fréquence de commutation (f2) est supérieure à la première fréquence de commutation (f1).
2. Générateur électrochirurgical selon la revendication 1, le dispositif de commande
MLI étant configuré pour :
choisir une modalité ;
définir une première fréquence de commutation (f1) du pont en H en fonction de la modalité choisie ;
piloter le pont en H à la première fréquence de commutation ;
déterminer une impédance tissulaire (Zt) en fonction d'au moins une mesure fournie par le circuit capteur ;
comparer l'impédance tissulaire à une impédance seuil (ZTh) ;
commander le dispositif de commande MLI pour entraîner le pont en H à la première
fréquence de commutation si l'impédance tissulaire est inférieure à l'impédance seuil
; et
commander le dispositif de commande MLI pour entraîner le pont en H à une seconde
fréquence (f2) si l'impédance tissulaire est supérieure ou égale à l'impédance seuil.
3. Générateur électrochirurgical selon la revendication 1 comprenant :
un circuit capteur (120) configuré pour mesurer au moins une propriété tissulaire,
le dispositif de commande MLI choisissant une modalité fondée sur la propriété tissulaire
mesurée.
4. Générateur électrochirurgical selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le circuit capteur
mesure une tension de sortie (V0) et un courant de sortie (I0) et le dispositif de commande MLI détermine une impédance tissulaire (Zr) en fonction de la tension de sortie et du courant de sortie.
5. Générateur électrochirurgical selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le dispositif
de commande MLI compare l'impédance tissulaire avec une impédance seuil (ZTh),
si l'impédance tissulaire est inférieure à l'impédance seuil, le dispositif de commande
MLI choisissant une première modalité, et
si l'impédance tissulaire est supérieure à l'impédance seuil, le dispositif de commande
MLI choisissant une seconde modalité.
6. Générateur électrochirurgical selon une quelconque revendication précédente, dans
lequel la fréquence pour la modalité choisie reste constante indépendamment des changements
d'impédance tissulaire.